Collins knows life without go-to scorer

76ers coach is without Bynum, who can change outcome in final moments like Rose

December 12, 2012|By K.C. Johnson, Chicago Tribune reporter

PHILADELPHIA — Andrew Bynum isn't Derrick Rose.

What the injured 76ers center is, however, is a first option on offense. So 76ers coach Doug Collins knows a little of life without a go-to scorer.

"Ask Tom (Thibodeau) how much fun it is at the end of games not getting shots," Collins said. "When you can put the ball in Derrick's hands and he either gets a shot for himself or somebody else, gets to the line, gets out on the break, gets you easy scores, drives and kicks, gets you 3s, you can't replace that. If we had Andrew, we'd throw the ball through the post and that changes the game as well.

"Chicago is always going to defend and be in games. But when you can't consistently score in this league, it's hard. And the defenses have gotten so good. Teams don't give you easy points. This is not a league of running plays. It's a league of making plays. And Derrick is one of the best playmakers."

Collins long has been a fan of Rose. When he broadcast games in Chicago, he used to be spotted consistently talking to Rose during private moments in United Center hallways.

"I don't think people realize when you do well playing in your hometown, it's great," Collins said. "But there's a lot of added pressure. And that young guy handles it as well as anybody I've ever seen."

Brotherly love:Marquis Teague finished with six points and career-high four assists in 20 minutes. That's his most action since logging 18 minutes in the last game Kirk Hinrich missed to injury, on Nov. 12 against the Celtics.

"Marquis played terrific defense and made two huge free throws down the stretch," Thibodeau said of Teague after the 96-89 victory.

Teague, who had played just 3 minutes, 20 seconds over his previous five games, said he tries to talk to older brother, Jeff, a guard with the Hawks, weekly for support and advice.

Give me that:Carlos Boozer said he had heard of but not seen the Raptors' Amir Johnson getting ejected for holding onto the ball too long following a free throw. Boozer long has had a habit of asking officials to touch the ball preceding or following foul shots.

Coincidentally, Boozer drew a technical Wednesday for arguing a no-call.